Transfer placement equipment



April 20, 1965 A. MATSCHKE, JR I 3, 7

TRANSFER PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT Filed March 18, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 13206, 50/ %ri/ZzzrL/fafrc%g z/n c%iys A. L. MATSCHKE, JR

TRANSFER PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT April 20, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1963 -JIIIIIIIIIIIII..-..-IIIIIII April 20, 1965 A, L. MATSCHKE, JR

TRANSFER PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 18, 1963 April 20, 1965 A. L. MATSCHKE, JR 3,179,261

TRANSFER PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT Filed March 18, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 1965 A. 1.. MATSCHKE, JR 3,179,261

TRANSFER PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT Filed um 18, 1963 v a Sheets-Sheet 5 April 1965 A. 1.. MATSCHKE, JR 3,179,261

TRANSFER PLACEMENT. EQUIPMENT Filed March 18, 19s:

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 ll llh. H'IH "HHIHIHIH I Em a WM 9 cz ziiyst April 20, 1965 MATSCHKE, JR -'3,l79,26l

TRANSFER PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT Filed March 18, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent lice 3,179,261 TRANSFER PLACEMENT EQUKPWNT Arthur L. Matschke, In, 913 Granville, Mundelein, Till.

Filed Mar. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 265,986

15 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) This invention relates to transfer placement equipment for handling one-by-one placement of small parts, and more particularly is concerned with equipment for accomplishing oriented transfer and placement of small parts with high accuracy and speed.

Nearly anything that is produced in a factory, from a Watch to a missile, is assembled by the pyramiding of small parts. A part such as a washer, a rivet, or a screw, is assembled to or together with a lever arm, a cam assembly or the like, to develop each of the various subassemblies which are then added together to complete the final product. Each of the sub-assemblies usually involves one or more small parts assembly operations, and Whether straight hand-assembly functions, or handassisted machine assembly functions (such as press operations, staking fixtures, index tables, riveting machines, power tool bench devices) it is possible to achieve great efiiciencies and economies in production by providing simplified equipment capable of picking up and delivering the parts that are to be handled. Thus, an expensive elemental operation requiring appreciable time and effort is involved whenever it is necessary to pick up small parts (sometimes irritatingly small), and place them in a press nest, an assembly cavity, the shankof another part, a slot, or the like.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a transfer placement device for handling small parts; and that exhibits a mode of operation oifering great versatility, from the standpoints of physical size and geometry, to enable its application to a wide variety of mounting problems and clearance requirements with respect to related equipment; that is characterized by accuracy, speed, and orientation control during delivery and placement;

that is capable of one-by-one pickup, either vertically or peripherally, of successively fed parts of almost any configuration; th-at is capable of adjustment to enable delivery of the part to its target either by dead drop or by actually chuting it along a prescribed trajectory based upon its vector delivery velocity from the transfer device; that is suitable for use as'a manual device or a semi-automatic device, and is completely adaptable to the most refined systems of autocontrol; and that is readily adaptable to stacking for the compounding of assemblies at a single station. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description. i

In the accompanying drawings forming a partof this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side-elevational view illustrating a typical parts flow operation in which the transfor placement device of this invention finds application;

FIG. 1A is a simplified vector diagram illustrating basic principles of rotary mechanics;

FIGS. 13 and 1C are fragmentary vector plan views illustrating horizontal discharge of a part from the rotary transfer placement device constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG, 1D is a side elevational view illustrating the addltional vector force component acting due to gravity;

FIGHZ is a diagrammatic plan view of a transfer element at its load position wherein the part receiving cavity is in registry wit-lithe delivery point of its food track;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the 3,179,251 Patented Apr. 28, 1965 a 2. track and cavity region of FIG. 2 and illustrating one-byone feeding of a series of parts from the track to the transfer cavity;

FIG. 3 is a view cor-responding to FIG. 2 and illustratstopping of the sheath to control initiation of discharge;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the withdrawal of the sheath from beneath the part disposed in the transfer cavity;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a dead drop discharge of the part onto its target;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragmentary side view illustrating the dead drop discharge of a part; i i

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the parts during the chuting interval of a dynamic discharge;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged fragmentary side view illustrat ing the chuting interval of the dynamic discharge of FIG; 6;

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of a transfer placement device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 8 is a developed horizontal sectional view taken principally as indicated, by the line 8-.8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a reduced plan sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side-elevational viewpartly in section, as taken on the line tli-1ll of PEG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded plan view illustrating thepart configurations of a number of the elements in the assembly of PEG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a side-elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a transfer-placement device in accordance with the principles of this invention; a

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 12and is oriented at 90 with respect thereto; i

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectionalview through the axis of the shaft and collar assembly for the device shown in FIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts thereof broken out and sectioned, illustrating the drive arrange- FIG. 23 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 22 i and showing a modified discharge arrangement.

Referringnow to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is diagrammatically illustrated a parts-handling system which typically may include a'tote-box for dumping the. parts into. a bulk hopper'21 which delivers the parts to a feeder bowl 22 where the parts are oriented and delivered to a feedertrack23 fromwhich they are delivered one-by-one. to a work station 24. A transfer} placement device is designated generally at 25 in FIG. 1 and it is arranged to handle one-by-one placement of serially-fed articles that are to be transferred from the feeder track 23 to the work station 24, which is located in sidevvise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point of the track.

In accordance with the preferred practice of this invention as shown herein for purposes of illustrative dis closure, the transfer device utilizes principles of rotary mechanics and generates a transfer path P extending along the arc of a circle from a load position at the delivery point of the infe'ed track 23 to a release position of either static or dynamic registry with the target at the work station 24. In FIG. 2, a transfer cavity C in which each part is to be conveyed is shown at its load position where it is in registry with the track and it is movable along the arc of a circle to a release position in registry with the target X.

The sequence of views 2 to are diagrammatic plan views illustrating the successive positions of the transfer cavity C, and the views 2A to 5A correspond respectively to the views 2 to 5 and disclose specific details involved in the part-handling at each of these successive phases of the movement. The transfer cavity C may be defined cooperatively by a pair of upper and lower plates here preferably described as a transfer element T and a sheath S. The transfer element T is provided adjacent its periphery with a cavity having an inlet or top opening to receive a part from the track 23 and having an outlet or bottom opening to discharge the part at the target. The sheath S has a portion underlying the cavityand supportingly engaging a part that is within the cavity. The sheath thus provides a gate across the bottom opening of the cavity and controlling part discharge therefrom.

In the diagrams of FIGS. 2 to 5 the transfer element and sheath are mounted to rotate about a common vertical axis A to generate the transfer path P that is the arc of a circle. Originally the transfer element T and sheath S move conjointly, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3A. The transfer element has its periphery contoured to the shape of the transfer path to present trailing guardwall structure progressively moving across the track outlet to cut off supply of additional parts from the track so long as the' cavity is out of registry with the track.

A stop 26 is provided for engagement with the sheath S to terminate its movement so that continued movement of the transfer element results in progressive retraction of the gate from beneath the part that is within the cavity to prepare for gravity discharge of the part from the cavity at the target station. This phase appears in FIGS. 4 and 4A.

Another stop 27 is shown for cooperation with the transfer element T to terminate its movement and, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the arrangement is such that the cavity is in direct registry with the target when the transfer element engages this stop. This is a condition of dead drop in that the part will be discharged directly vertically.

In handling certain parts it is desirable to utilize a dynamic release of the part so that it will follow a trajectory determined by its speed along a tangent line to the transfer path at the instant of release and also determined by the effects of gravity. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the stop 27 which indexes the limit position of the transfer element T is spaced to allow movement of the transfer element beyond the actual release position and the target is in dynamic registry with the cavity at the instant of release, so that the part moves through a predetermined trajectory to the target.

As a general rule, parts having a general configuration like that of a shaft of vertical orientation require slow deposit or dead drop delivery, while parts in the configuration of a thin disc may be more rapidly deposited and may be discharged in a dynamic mode. For the purposes of this disclosure and the appended claims, it should be understood .that the term dynamic registry mayinclude the case of dead drop registry. A proper appreciation of the advantages inherent in the rotary placement mode utilized herein may be gained from a review of the principles of rotary mechanics as applied to part placement.

In FIG. 1A a transfer element T having a periphery I of radius (r) and angular velocity (w) is represented.

The vector force toward A, the center of rotation, is de pendent on a (a =rw which represents the normal or radial acceleration. The vector force tangent to the Circle is dependent On a a t t t which represents the tangential acceleration.

To achieve a delivery rate of 60 parts per minute through a travel path spanning of arc,

radians w (average) 1r- For a 3 radius, this gives a linear velocity v, where This same linear velocity may be achieved by a transfer element of 6" radius operating at an angular velocity (w) 01 radians 1r/2 see.

Thus there is great flexibility in the geometry of each installation. Desired results can be achieved by appropriate control in the selection of the radius and the angular velocity.

The resultant acceleration a representing the vector sum of a and a is proportional to and aligned with the resultant force F shown in FIG. 1A which represents the force acting on a part during its delivery cycle. The force F is dependent upon instantaneous angular velocity and instantaneous angular acceleration and appropriate selection of these factors gives control over orientation of the part prior to discharge and the action imparted to the part upon discharge. In all events, however, the part moves along a line tangent to the circle at the efiective point of release.

In FIGS. 1B and 1C, rp is the radius of the part, and re is the radius of curvature of the lip, a force F, whose magnitude and direction is a function of the normal and tangential forces is applied to the released part. As the part rolls or slides out of the cavity, this force provides acceleration and thus velocity to the center of mass of the part, and angular velocity of the whole part about its center of mass. The exact angle and velocity of ejection and angular momentum of the part then depends also on the radius of curvature of the ejecting lip re and the radius of curvature of the ejected part (both of which are not in general constant), and is obtained by performing a vector integration of the part over its path of travel over the ejecting lip. By varying the shape and curvature of the ejecting lip (also the part if this can be done), and the force F (through w, r and the angular acceleration or deacceleration) the part can be ejected in any direction with any velocity, subject to the geometric constraints and the bounds of variation of the independent variables. In addition, the part receives an angular momentum which converts it into a small gyroscope, thus making its flight path relatively independent of disturbing forces.

Finally, as the part leaves the transfer element at a prescribed velocity tangent to the transfer path vt, it is acted upon by gravity g and follows a trajectory as illustrated in FIG. 1D. This represents the chuting interval and it may be controlled with high accuracy by selection of the radius and angular velocity for the transfer element.

' In most part-handling operations employing the transfer placement principle of this invention, the part is guided to its target with great precision as a result of the rotary movement mode that is employed; moreover, the parts are restricted from bouncing by arranging the transfer element and sheath in close proximity and great precision on target is achieved without severe restrictions on the released speed. On this latter point, it has been found that a range of speeds and chuting periods may be combinedto enable delivery of the same part to the target region within a few thousandths of an inch. Where part configuration makes it necessary, slower delivery speeds provide the same ultimate target accuracy (thus slower delivery speeds may be desired for handling a part having a shank and head profile like that of a rivet or a bearing head). By comparison however, an inverted rivet profile may he handled more rapidly than an upstanding rivet profile; similarly, washers, miniature studs, cylinders having a center of gravity within two or three heights of the transfer element cavity, nuts, rings, and spheres of radii generally within the transfer element cavity are relatively easy to transfer at speed ranges of up to 120 per minute or more.

In gravity discharge arrangements the transfer cavity has an outer lip L (see FIGS. 2A, 4A, 5A and 6A) for engagement with a part nested therein to prevent radial discharge. This lip is preferably constituted as a peripheral portion of the transfer element T but it may be provided on the sheath or may be partially provided on both the transfer element and sheath. Similarly, the cavity itself may have vertical walls in part defined by the transfer, element and in part defined by the sheath. In the case of headed parts it is desirable that both the sheath and transfer element collectively define the cavity so that at release the elements simultaneously undergo opposite relative movement with respect to the centerline of the part.

Other provisions for avoiding radial discharge problems occasioned by unusual configurations are the use of slower speeds or an inclined floor in the seat structure of the sheath or providing cavity wall structure inclined away from the direction of rotation during the delivery stroke.

The construction of one embodiment of a transfer placement device in accordance with this invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 11. The part detail is best shown in the developed sectional view of FIG. 8 wherein the device is illustrated as including a fixed vertical shaft 3i) of smooth cylindrical cross section along its lower region 301., and of slightly reduced diameter and threaded along its upper region Still.

A bearing 31 of generally T-shaped cross section is journalled on the lower section Still. of the fixed shaft and is provided with an upwardly opening annular socket that receives a bearing ring 32 therein in relatively rotatable relation. The bearing ring 32 is shown in plan in FIG. 11 and has a set of three holes 32H for registry with a set of three holes 33H provided in ashaft surrounding collar portion of a sheath 33 also shown in plan in FIG. 11 and shown in overlying attached relation to the bearing ring 32 in FIG. 8. Set screws 254 secure these parts. The main hearing has a portion of its upper face relieved to define an arcuate clearance slot 318 for accommodating relative rotary movement of the sheath 33. The unrelieved upper face portions 31F of the main bearing has a set of three holes 31H for registry with a corresponding set of three holes 35H provided in a collar portion 35C of the transfer element 35 which is also shown in plan in FIG. ll and which is shown attached to the main bearingfil in FIG. 8 by means of a set screw 36.

A helical bias spring 37 encircles the fixed shaft 3%) and partially nests within the center of the cavity 31C defined by the main bearing 31. The lower end 37L of the bias spring 37 is anchored to the ring bearing 32 which is seby the part delivery stroke. Thus, byreversibly rotatably driving the transfer element, the sheath 33 is caused to undergo follower movement conjointlly withit during the forward stroke but in the presence of fixed stop structure yieldably accommodates relative rotary movement to effect release of a part from the cavity defined by the transfer element and sheath 33.

The stop pins 38, 39, and 40 control the limits of movement of the transfer element on both the forward and return strokes and the limit of movement on the forward stroke of the sheath to thereby set the initiation of the chuting period. The pin 39 controls relative rotation between the transfer element 35 and the sheath 33. The pins 38 and 40 are supported directly on a fan bar 41 that is secured to the upper section 30U of the fixed shaft. A lower nut 42 of inverted T-shaped cross section overlies a slip washer 4-3 to enable free rotary movement of the transfer element 35. The fan bar 41 shown in plan in FIG. 11 rests upon the nut 42 and is fixed thereon by means of an overlying nut 44 and a locknut 45 which are threaded onto the upper end SUU of the fixed shaft.

The drive for the forward and return strokes of the transfer element 35 is transmitted through the main bearing lsl directly to the transfer element 35. For this purpose a circular array of spur teeth 311 are formed on the depending portion 31? of the main bearing and are engaged by a spur gear as. A mounting bracket 47 is fixed to the exposed lower end 3tlE of the stationary shaft 3t and has a radial arm 47R equipped with facilities providing a pivot axis for the spur gear 46 and a curved arm 47C providing a support for an air cylinder 48 having an air inlet as indicated at .81 in FIG. 8 and having a reversibly moveable ram 48R projecting from its opposite end and connected by a drive plate 49 in lost motion relation to a drive pin fit that is carried on the spur gear. and the return stroke is provided by a coil spring (not shown) located within the cylinder 48 and suitably en gaged to the ram 48R. Reciprocation of the ram 48R is translated into reversible rotary movement of the: spur gear 45 and hence into reversible rotary movement of the main bearing 31 and transfer element 35.

To establish a load position of registry between the cavity and the delivery point of the track 23, the fan bar 4 may be adjusted rotationally by releasing and then re-engaging the nuts 44 and 45 (PEG. 8) to position the fixed pin 51 (FIGS. 7 and 11) carried on the fan bar E1 at a location to intercept the shoulder 35A provided on the trailing edge of the transfer element 35. A screw (not shown) must also be released temporarily to free the bearing 31 and permit it to float with the fan bar it during this adjustment. The total range of angular transfer travel is basically determined by the spur gear as and the spur teeth 311'. Initial rotational adjustment of the main bearing 31 reguiatesthe effective span of the spur gear teeth 31T exposed to the spur gear 46.

The adjustment pin 39 as shown in FIG. 8 may be fixed at any selected position along the small slot 358 provided in the transfer element 35 and has a depending lower end 3E projecting into the slot33S of the sheath 33 to fix the location of the leading edge 331 of the sheath relative to the leading edge 35L of the transfer eletnent during those intervals when these elements move conjointly. When the chuting interval is initiated, relative angular movement results, up to the amount of unused slot in the sheath.

The stop pin 38 which is anchored in the slot 415 of the fan bardl has a depending lower end 33E that projects into the path' of the leading edge 33L of the sheath to terminate the follower motion of the sheath and initiate retraction of the seat structure and release of the part from the transfer pocket.

Finally, a stop pin 4-0 is mounted on the fan bar il at any selected location along the slot 41F and has its lower end it iiprojecting into the slot 35? provided in the transfer element to engage with an abutment face 351 The forward stroke of the ram is powered by air at the trailing end of this slot and determine the forward limit of movement of the transfer element. As indicated previously, thislimit position may be beyond the target region to enable an actual dynamic release and in FIG. 7 thepart arrangement makes such a dynamic release mode possible.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 20, the transfer equipment is carried in offset relation at the upper end of a fixed upstanding post 128. The transfer device includes a chambered frame 130 (see FIG. 15) that is provided with a vertical bore 131313 and a horizontally extending air cylinder 130C intersecting the bore tangentially. An elongated double-ended piston 131 is reversibly shiftable' through the cylinder 1319C and on one side carries a toothed rack 132' that meshes with spur gear teeth 133T provided on a shouldered portion 1331 of a vertical live shaft 133 that extends through the bore 130B.

A collar 134 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 133 by a crosspin 135 and overlies the frame 131 to rest thereon and support the assembly of rotatable parts. A bearing 136 is fitted on the lower end of the live shaft 133 and a cap 137 spans the lower end of the live shaft and is fixed thereon by an axial mounting screw 1378. A roller type thrust bearing 136T is provided centrally around the shaft 133 and facilitates rotation of the collar 134 relative to the frame 130.

A sheath assembly 138 (see FIG. 17) and a transfer element assembly 139 (see FIG. 16) are journalled about the axis of the live shaft 133 (see FIGS. 13 and 14) and located between the end cap 137 and the lower bearing 136. Adjustment rings 14d and 141 are clamped to the top-collar 13d and rotate in unison with the live shaft 133. The lower bearing 136 is stationary and it receives a stationary adjustment ring 142. The sheath plate assembly 138 has a rigid upstanding pin 1381 on its far side operating in a slot 1428 (see FIG. 18) in the stationary adjustment ring 142 to define the limit of movement of the sheath assembly during the forward transfer stroke. A spiral spring 143 is located in the upwardly opening annular pocket 137P provided in the end cap 137 and has one end fixed in at anchor hole 13$H provided on the sheath assembly and has its other end anchored to the end cap 137, which rotates in unsion with the transfor element assembly 139 and the live shaft 133. The

upper adjustment ring 140 has a downwardly opening slot 1463 (see FIG. 19) that receives an upstanding rigid stop pin 1301 provided on the front of the base frame 130 with the slot having a shoulder at one end determining the limit of movement of the transfer element at a location at or beyond registry with the target. The lower adjustment ring 141 has an arcuate through slot 1418 (see FIG. 20) having a clockwise facing shoulder 1411* at one end also engageable with the stop pin 13111 and serving to define the load position of the transfer element assembly 139.

The spring loaded arrangement for the sheath assembly 138 causes it to undergo follower movement at all times, tending to maintain it in the proper relation to support a part within the transfer pocket. At the desired region, however, the pin 1331 on the sheath plate is engaged by the clockwise facing shoulder 141F provided in the stationary ring 142.

The relative angular positions of the rings Mt), 141 and 142 may be varied to effect individual adjustment of the transfer stroke range or of the load position or of the chuting interval depending upon whether a dead drop or dynamic release mode is desired, and depending upon the geometry of the area in which the transfer device is to be located.

The transfer element assembly 131, as shown in FIG. 16, is comprised of a transfer platform 131? having an inner portion providedwith an opening 1390 to receive the ,shaftlSI-i, and having a set of four holes arranged in a rectangular array adjacent its outer extremity.

A nest 13911, having the cavity C provided along its outer periphery, has an inner portion provided with a pair of holes for registry with the outer pair of holes in the platform to receive a pair of fasteners 139R Fi nally, an escapement disc 13235 has a projecting portion 139M serving as a mount and provided with a pair of holes for registry with the inner pair of holes in the platform to receive a pair of fasteners 159G. The periphery of the escapement disc 139E provides trailing guard wall structure that acts to block the delivery point of the feed track for the parts whenever the cavity is out of registry with the track. 7

The sheath assembly 133, shown in FIG. 17, includes a sheath platform 1383 having a central opening 1380 for receiving the shaft 133 and carrying the pin 138?. The sheath platform has a pair of holes at its outer end for registry with a pair of holes provided in a sheath plate 138N that is fastened to the sheath platform by fasteners 1385.

Relative rotary movement between the sheath and transfer element is limited by a pin 159 carried by the sheath and operating in a slot 1505 provided in the transfer element.

The foregoing specific descriptions of the embodiments, shown in FIGS. 7 to Hand 12 to 20, have related to transfer placement devices that provide for vertical discharge, and whileonly gravity is relied upon in the arrangements illustrated herein, this may be supplemented by forcible ejection. Where vertical discharge is relied upon, the cavity is provided with a lip to prevent radial escape. it is also contemplated that radial discharge, or a combi nation of radial and vertical discharge, may be employed. There follows a description of a device shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, which involves a cornbinationof both vertical and radial discharge, and a modification, as shown in FIG. 23, which involves only radial discharge.

As is apparent from the consideration of the drawing figures, the device shown in FIG. 21 corresponds generally to the device shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 21, however, the transfer element 139 mounts a set of co-acting jaws 2% and 201 rotatable about separate vertical axes defined by fixed pivot pins 2119? and 201i and spring biased towards their closed or cavity defining position as illustrated in FIG. 21. These jaws have outer ends 2061 and 2M] cooperating to restrain a part, which is here represented as a headed part, against radial discharge. The cavity in which the headed part is disposed, has no peripheral lip, and hence, only the jaws Zttti and 2M restrain radial discharge.

A sheath 138 underiies the cavity and supports the part against vertical escape, though the headed portion of the part is already in supported relation upon the jaw ends 2%] and 2111]. The left-hand jaw 21341 is a power jaw and carries a dependingpin ZtEdS for engagement by the trialing edge of the sheath 138 to effect release of the jaws simultaneously with retraction of the sheath from beneath the cavity. The transfer element 139 has a slot 2&2 accommodating necessary movement of the jaw pin 2008. The power jaw has a carnmed surface configuration 2919C riding against a mating cam surface 201C on the slave jaw 201 to cause both jaws to open in a prescribed relationship dependent upon the nature of the discharge action that is desired. r

It should be apparent that where desired, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 maybe utilized for vertical discharge, in which case a peripheral lip is provided for the cavity to restrain radial discharge independently of the jaws. The jaws then function only as the gate blocking discharge through the outlet at the bottom of the cavity. a r r In the modification shown in FIG. 23, the transfer element has a floor 203 defining the cavity and underlying the part disposed therein, which is here represented as a disc, and the sheath 138 then functions only as an actuator for the jaws 2% and 2 11 for effecting a radial discharge of the part at the release position.

While ,a rotary transfer placement device has many important advantages, it is recognized that certain aspects of the structures shown herein may be incorporated in linear transfer placement devices to improve significantly the effectiveness of such devices.

It should be understood that the foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate the invention and the manner in which it may be performed, and the invention is not to be limited thereto, except insofar asthe appended claims are so limited since those skilled in the art who have this disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in generally transversely offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising means including a transfer element and a sheath, each mounted for rotation about a common axis and cooperably providing a cavity and a gate to retain against escape a part that is acted upon by a discharge force while in Said cavity, said cavity having an inlet to receive a part and an outlet to discharge such part and normally blocked by said gate, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said transfer element about said axis to move said cavity along a transversely extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registry of said inlet with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said outlet with said, target station, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to produce follower movement of the sheath conjointly with movement of said cavity towards said release position, to maintain the gate in blocking relation to said outlet, with such cavity movement serving to orient a part contained therein in preparation for directional discharge through said outlet, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span the delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registry therewith and to uncover such delivery pointwhen said cavity returns thereto, and stop means engageable with said sheath as said cavity approaches said release position to enable further movement of said transfer element while the sheath is restrained to effect opening of said gate and enable discharge of the part through said outlet.

2. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serial- 1y fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in generally sidewise offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising means including a transfer element and a sheath providing a cavity and a gate to retain against escape a part that is acted upon by a discharge force while in said cavity, said cavity having an inlet toreceive a part and an outlet to discharge such part and normally blocked by said gate, and said cavity having boundary Wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part. and to the target station to impart, a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path, means limiting return movement of :said element at one end of said path to establish said cavity at a load position of registry of said inlet with said delivery point, means limiting transfer movement of said elementat the opposite end of said path to enable said cavity to reach a release position of dynamic registry of said outlet with said'target station, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to. produce follower movement of the sheath conjointly with movement of said transfer element towards said release position, with such movement serving to orient a part contained therein in preparation for discharge through said outlet, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span the delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registry therewith and to uncover such delivery point when said cavity returns thereto, and stop means engageable with said, sheath as said cavity approaches said release position to enable further movement of said transfer element while the sheath is restrained to effect opening of said gate and enable discharge of the part through said outlet.

3. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in generally transversely offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising means including a transfer element and a sheath mounted alongside said transfer element and cooperably providing a' cavity and a gate to retain against escape a part that is acted upon by a discharge force while in said cavity, said cavity having an inlet to receive a part and an outlet to discharge such part and normally blocked by said gate, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element about an axis to move said cavity along a transversely extending arcuate transfor path extending from a load position of registry of said inlet with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said outlet with said target station, said ransfer element having guard Wall structure rigid there with and trailing said cavity along an arcuate contour corresponding to that of said transfer path to cut off supply from said track when said cavity is out of registry with said delivery point, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to produce follower movement of the sheath conjointly with movement of said cavity towards said release position, with such cavity move ment serving to orient a part contained therein in preparation for discharge through said outlet, and stop means engageable with said sheath as said cavity approaches said release position to enable further movement of said transfer element while the sheath is restrained to effect opening of said gate and enable discharge, of the part through said outlet.

4. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in sidewise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer devicecomprising a transfer element having a partreceiving cavity having a top opening to receive a part andhaving a bottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having boundary Wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to imparta piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means, for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along an arcuate transfer path extending horizontal ly from a load position of registry with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary Wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along the discharge path, said transfer element having guard wall structure rigid therewith and trailing said cavity along a contour corresponding to the contour of said transfer path to cut off supply from said track when said cavity is out of registry with said delivery point, and means including a sheath mounted to underlie said transfer element and provide a gate across the bottom opening for l l path from said load position up to said release position, said gate retaining against escape a part that is acted upon by a discharge force while in said cavity.

5. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in sidewise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising a transfer element having a cavity to retain a part against horizontal escape, said cavity having a top opening to receive such part and a bottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a' discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registry of said top opening with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said bottom opening with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along the discharge path, said transfer element having guard Wall structure rigid therewith and trailing said cavity along an arcuate contour corresponding to that of said transfer path to cut off supply from said track when said cavity is out of registry with said delivery point, and means including a sheath mounted to underlie said transfer element and provide a gate for said cavity while said cavity moves along said path from said load position up to said release position.

6. A transfer device for o'ne-by-one placement of serial- .ly fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in sidewise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising a transfer element having a cavity to retain a part against horizontal escape, said cavity having a top opening to receive such part and a bottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said article about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcua te transfer path of constant radius of curvature extending from a load position of registry of said top opening with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said bottom opening with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along the discharge path, said transfer element having guard wall structure rigid therewith and trailing said cavity along an arcuate contour corresponding to that of said transfer path to cut off supply from said track when said cavity is out of registry with said delivery point, a sheath mounted to underlie said transfer element and provide a gate across the bottom opening for said cavity, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to produce follower movement of the sheath conjointly with movement of the transfer element towards said release position, and stop means engageable with said sheath as said cavity approaches said release position to enable further movement of said transfer element While the sheath is restrained to effect opening of said gate and enable discharge of the part through said outlet.

7. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in side- Wise and vertically downwardly ofiset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising l2 7 a transfer element having a cavity to retain a part against horizontal escape, said cavity having a top opening to receive such part and a bottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having a boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registry of said top opening with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said bottom opening with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along the discharge path, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span said delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registry therewith and to uncover saiddelivery point when said cavity returns thereto, a sheath mounted to underlie said transfer element and provide a gate across the bottom opening for said cavity, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to produce follower movement of the sheath conjointly. with movement of the transfer element towards said release position, and stop means engageable with said sheath as said cavity approaches said release position to enable further movement of said transfer element while the sheath is restrained to effect opening of said gate and enable discharge of the part through said outlet.

8. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in sidewise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising a transfer element having a cavity to retain a part against horizontal escape, said cavity having a top opening to receive such part and a bottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having a boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registry of said top opening with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said bottom opening with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along thedischarge path, a sheath plate underlying said cavity at said delivery point, means mounting said sheath plate for movement along said transfer path conjointly with said transfer element, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span said delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registryv therewith and to uncover said delivery point when said cavity returns thereto, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to produce follower movement of the sheath conjointly with movement of the transfer element towards said release position, and stop means engageable with said sheath as said cavity approaches said release position to enable further movement of said transfer element while the sheath is restrained to effect opening of said gate and enable discharge of the part through said outlet.

9. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in sidewise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising a transfer element having a cavity to retain a part against horizontal escape, said cavity having a top opening to receive such part and a bottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having a boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target sation, means for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending 'arcuate transfer path, stop means limiting return movement of said element at one end of said transfer path to establish said cavity at a load position of registry of said top opening with said delivery point, stop means limiting transfer movement of said element at the opposite end of said transfer path to enable such cavity to reach a release position of dynamic registry of said botom opening with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along the discharge path, means mounting a sheath to underlie said cavity and to rotate about said axis, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to produce follower movement of said sheath conjointly with movement of said transfer element, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span said delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registry therewith and to uncover said delivery point when said cavity returns thereto, and stop means engageable with said sheath as said cavity moves up to said release position to enable continued movement of the transfer element to effect opening of said cavity and enable discharge of the part through said bottom opening. 10. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in sidewise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising a transfer element having a cavity to retain a part against horizontal escape, said cavity having a top opening to receive such part anda bottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registry of said top opening with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said bottom opening with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part'against the cavity boundary wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along the discharge path, a sheath plate underlying said cavity and mounted for rotation relative thereto about said axis, resiliently yieldable means normally acting to produce rotary movement of said sheath plate about said axis conjointly with said cavity during movement of said cavity towards said release position, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span said delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registry therewith and to uncover said delivery point when said cavity returns thereto, and stop means engageable when said sheath plate approaches said release position to stop said rotary motion of said sheath plate and enable further movement of said transfer element to effect discharge of the part through said bottom opening.

11. A transfer device for one-,by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in sidewise and vertically downwardly offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising a transfer element having a cavity to retain a part against horizontal escape, said cavity having a top opening to receive such part and abottom opening to discharge such part, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element about a vertical axis to move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path, stop means limiting return movement of said element at one end of said path to establish said cavity at a load position of registry of said top opening with said delivery point, stop means limiting transfer movement of said element at the other end of said path to enable said cavity to reach a release position of dynamic registry of said bottom opening with said target station, with movement of said cavity toward said release position imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus orienting the part for discharge along the discharge path, a sheath plate under lying said cavity and mounted for rotation relative there to about said axis, resiliently yieldable means normally acting to produce rotary movement of said sheath plate about said axis conjointly with said cavity during movement of said cavity towards said release position, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span said delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registry therewith and to uncover said delivery point when said cavity returns thereto and stop means engageable when said sheath plate approaches said release position to stop said rotary motion of said sheath plate and enable further movement of said transfer element to effect discharge of the part through said bottom opening.

12. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to betransferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in generally sidewise offset relation to the delivery point, said transfer device comprising a stationary vertical shaft defining a vertical axis, a bearing rotatably journalled on said shaft, a sector-shaped transfer element having a part receiving cavity adjacent its periphery and fixed to said bearing to rotate about said axis, said element having a periphery uniformly spaced from said axis and trailing said cavity to span said delivery point when said cavity is out of registery therewith, said cavity having an inlet to receive a part from said track and a bottom outlet to discharge such part, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the config uration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, a sheath plate underlying said transfer element to retain against escape a part acted upon by a discharge force While in said cavity, means mounting said sheath plate to rotate about said axis, drive means supported on said shaft and connected for reversibly rotating said bearing to reversibly swing said bearing about said axis and move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registery of said inlet with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said outlet with said target station, with such cavity movement imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus serving to orient the part gageable with said sheath to terminate follower move-r ment thereof at a, location adjacent to said release position, and stop structure mounted from said shaft and 1.5 engageable with said transfer element to terminate return movement thereof at a location to define said load position.

13. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in generally sidewise offset relation to the delivery point, said transfer device comprising a support post, a chambered frame fixed to said post and providing a vertical bore and a horizontally extending bore tangentially intersecting the bore, a vertical shaft rotatable in said bore, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and drivingly connected to said shaft to reversibly rotate the same, a transfer element having a part receiving cavity adjacent its periphery, said transfer element having a periphery uniformly spaced from said axis and trailing said cavity to span said delivery point'when said cavity is out of registry therewith, said cavity having an inlet to receive a part from said track and a bottom outlet to discharge such part, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a discharge path that terminates at the target station, said element being fixed to said shaft to rotate therewith about the axis of said shaft and move said cavity along a horizontally extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registry of said inlet with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said outlet with said target station, with such cavity movement imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary wall structure thus serving to orient the part for discharge along said discharge path, a sheath underlying said transfer element, to retain against escape a part acted upon by a discharge force while in said cavity, means mounting said sheath to rotate about said axis, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to cause follower movement thereof conjointly with movement of said transfer element along said transfer path, stop structure limiting relative rotary movement between said transfer element and said sheath, stop structure interacting between said sheath and said frame to terminate follower movement of the sheath at a location adjacent to said release position, and stop structure interacting between said shaft and said frame to terminate return movement thereof at a location to define said load position.

14. A transfer device for one-by-one placement of serially fed parts that are to be transferred from a delivery point of an infeed track to a target station located in generally transversely offset relation to the delivery point for said track, said transfer device comprising means including a transfer element and a sheath providing a cavity and a gate to retain against escape a part that is acted upon by a discharge force while in said cavity, said cavity having an inlet to receive a part and an outlet to discharge such part and normally blocked by said gate, and said cavity having boundary wall structure oriented relative to the configuration of the part and to the target station to impart a piloting action orienting the part along a dis charge path that terminates at the target station, means for reversibly rotating said element to move said cavity along a transversely extending arcuate transfer path extending from a load position of registry of said inlet with said delivery point to a release position of dynamic registry of said inlet with said target station, resiliently yieldable means reacting against said sheath to produce follower movement of the sheath conjointly with movement of said cavity towards said release position, with such cavity movement imparting a radial acceleration force against the part to maintain the part against the cavity boundary Wall structure thus serving to orient the part for discharge along said discharge path, means reversibly movable in timed relation with said transfer element to span the delivery point of said track when said cavity is out of registery therewith and to uncover such delivery point when said cavity returns thereto, and stop means engageable with said sheath as said cavity approaches said release position to enable further movement of said transfer element while the sheath is restrained to effect opening of said gate and enable discharge of the part through said outlet.

15. A transfer device in accordance with claim 14 and including a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said transfer element, spring means normally biasing said jaws to adjacent cavity defining relation to engage and restrain a part disposed therebetween, said jaws having normally abutting cam surfaces thereon acting in response to cavity opening movement of one jaw to produce corresponding cavity opening movement of the other jaw, and means carried on said one jaw and actuated by said sheath, during the interval when the sheath is restrained by said stop means and the transfer element continues to move, for actuating said jaw through a cavity opening movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,083,515 1/14 Amsler 221-264 X 2,687,233 8/54 Wenckus 221298 X 2,717,606 9/55 Batzle 221-86 X 3,025,638 3/62 Krawetzke.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TRANSFER DEVICE FOR ONE-BY-ONE PLACEMENT OF SERIALLY FED PARTS THAT ARE TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM A DELIVERY POINT OF AN INFEED TRACK TO A TARGET STATION LOCATED IN GENERALLY TRANSVERSELY OFFSET RELATION TO THE DELIVERY POINT FOR SAID TRACK, SAID TRANSFER DEVICE COMPRISING MEANS INCLUDING A TRANSFER ELEMENT AND A SHEATH, EACH MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT A COMMON AXIS AND COOPERABLY PROVIDING A CAVITY AND A GATE TO RETAIN AGAINST ESCAPE A PART THAT IS ACTED UPON BY A DISCHARGE FORCE WHILE IN SAID CAVITY, SAID CAVITY HAVING AN INLET TO RECEIVE A PART AND AN OUTLET TO DISCHARGE SUCH PART AND NORMALLY BLOCKED BY SAID GATE, AND SAID CAVITY HAVING A BOUNDARY WALL STRUCTURE ORIENTED RELATIVE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE PART AND TO THE TARGET STATION TO IMPART A PILOTING ACTION ORIENTING THE PART ALONG A DISCHARGE PATH THAT TERMINATES AT THE TARGET STATION, MEANS FOR REVERSIBLY ROTATING SAID TRANSFER ELEMENT ABOUT SAID AXIS TO MOVE SAID CAVITY ALONG A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING ARCUATE TRANSFER PATH EXTENDING FROM A LOAD POSITION OF REGISTRY OF SAID INLET WITH SAID DELIVERY POINT TO A RELEASE POSITION OF DYNAMIC REGISTRY OF SAID OUTLET WITH SAID TARGET STATION, RESILIENTLY YIELDABLE MEANS REACTING AGAINST SAID SHEATH TO PRODUCE FOLLOWER MOVEMENT OF THE SHEATH CONJOINTLY WITH MOVEMENT OF SAID CAVITY TOWARDS SAID RELEASE POSITION, TO MAINTAIN THE GATE IN BLOCKING RELATION TO SAID OUTLET, WITH SUCH CAVITY MOVEMENT SERVING TO ORIENT A PART CONTAINED THEREIN IN PREPARATION FOR DIRECTIONAL DISCHARGE THROUGH SAID OUTLET, MEANS REVERSIBLY MOVABLE IN TIMED RELATION WITH SAID TRANSFER ELEMENT TO SPAN THE DELIVERY POINT OF SAID TRACK WHEN SAID CAVITY IS OUT OF REGISTRY THEREWITH AND TO UNCOVER SUCH DELIVERY POINT WHEN SAID CAVITY RETURNS THERETO, AND STOP MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SHEATH AS SAID CAVITY APPROACHES SAID RELEASE POSITION TO ENABLE FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID TRANSFER ELEMENT WHILE THE SHEATH IS RESTRAINED TO EFFECT OPENING OF SAID GATE AND ENABLE DISCHARGE OF THE PART THROUGH SAID OUTLET. 